THE establishment of the Australian International Centre for Food Security is an exciting initiative.
It is an exciting initiative, based on Australia’s recognised strengths in agricultural production, research and education.
This was the response by Dr Denis Blight, executive director of the Crawford Fund, to the CHOGM announcement of the establishment of the centre as part of a range of initiatives for food security in Africa.
Dr Blight was in Perth attending a meeting of the Commonwealth Roundtable at which he stressed the importance of international agricultural research cooperation as 'aid that works.'
“Australia’s strength in agriculture and agricultural research has been forged in tough environmental conditions by resilient farmers and brilliant scientists,” he said.
“This new approach further consolidates Australia’s credentials in international agricultural research through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and most recently through a new suite of partnerships between African and Australian scientists working on important food security topics such as improving maize legume farming systems, combating animal diseases and enhancing the nutritional quality of food.
“These important projects in Africa build on Australia’s strengths as an agricultural research leader and innovator,” he said.
Dr Blight noted that this announcement comes 30 years after another CHOGM announcement by Malcolm Fraser in Melbourne, 1981 that led to the establishment of the now internationally renowned Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, which would be leading the Australian International Centre for Food Security.
“Speaking personally, it is a special thrill to see the emergence of an initiative that builds on the ACIAR idea that had been championed by Sir John Crawford, in whose honour the Crawford Fund was established. It will further focus our efforts in Africa and underlines the long-held bipartisan support for global development through food security, using our technical and policy expertise,” said Dr Blight.
Dr Blight noted that the initiative draws together important threads which are recurring themes in past and current Crawford Fund policy work.
“The fund is particularly gratified with the Centre’s initial focus on sub Saharan Africa, an alignment that we recommended in our 2008 Report on World Food Security - how Australia can help.”
“The proposed international conference on African food security, to set a strategic framework and forward work program for the new centre, will need a team approach with AusAID, ACIAR, Australia’s Federal and State research organizations and universities, and other public and private sector stakeholders to work with African partners to yield win-win opportunities for Africa and Australia, and ensure food security for generations to come,” he said.
